Scott Seidl, Augusta Players Leader Since 2017, Dies at Age 62
“From the moment he arrived, he was a force. He brought nearly five decades of professional performing arts experience and a boundless passion for building community through storytelling.”
Scott Seidl, the innovative executive and artistic director for the Augusta Players, died Sunday, Nov. 23. The theater company shared news of his death Monday afternoon. He was 62.
Seidl came to the theater company in 2017. His first show as director happened the next year.
"From the moment he arrived, he was a force," said M. Amy Patton, chair of the board of directors in a social post. "He brought nearly five decades of professional performing arts experience and a boundless passion for building community through storytelling."
His work began in Kenosha, Wisconsin. There, he taught high school music, theater, and choreography. Later, he hosted tours for Nickelodeon's Double Dare, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, and the Miss International Pageants.
Seidl wrote and produced for Nickelodeon. Aerosmith hired him for tour administration, and he became Steven Tyler's road manager.
"After years of performing, teaching, writing, directing, and choreographing, Scott sought a community where he could put down roots and we are forever grateful that he chose Augusta," Patton said.
Ryan Abel, past board chair, called him "the true Swiss Army knife of musical theater."
"He was specifically crafted; his skill set and everything was the perfect fit for what was needed for where we were eight years ago," Abel said, according to Augusta Good News. "He helped build upon the legacy of Debi Ballas and Richard Justice and the many others before them."
Seidl helped create a new home at 712 Ellis St. for the company. He launched a capital campaign. The organization moved into the finished space earlier this year.
The Color Purple was his last production in October. "I've done this for 50 years. I've never been affected this deeply by anything, and I've done a lot of shows, in a lot of places, at a lot of different levels," Seidl said in September.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas opens Dec. 12-14 at the Imperial Theatre. The cast will bring his vision to life. The Greater Augusta Arts Council mourns his loss: "When a light goes out in the community, it is felt by so many."
Funeral arrangements are pending.
